Moda Negra, past and present

Abstract

The institution of slavery had a profound and enduring influence on the culture of Brazil, particularly in fashion. The early trans-Atlantic slave trade was dominated by the Portuguese, beginning in the sixteenth century; the importation of enslaved Africans to Brazil continued well into the nineteenth century, contributing to Brazil’s large Black population. Enslaved individuals actively used fashion to express their African heritage and resist the hierarchy of slavery. Fashion also served as a tool for power and control, with clothing choices reflecting social status. During pre-Lenten Carnaval celebrations, social hierarchies were temporarily overturned. African cosmologies influenced dressing, with elements like jewellery and ceremonial colours conveying spiritual significance. Contemporary Afro-Brazilian designers continue to incorporate these elements, thereby highlighting the dynamic nature of Afro-Brazilian fashion.